Grandparent Support Research Articles

L’influenza delle nonne sull’alimentazione dei bambini in eta’ prescolare: Il vissuto esperienziale delle mamme

INTRODUCTION: The problem of obesity and being overweight in childhood has assumed particular importance in Public Health. In Italy about 1 million children are overweight. In contemporary society, there are many families in which both parents work and often grandparents take care of their grandchildren, also taking care of their nutrition. The aim of this study was to understand the perceived role of grandmothers on the eating habits of preschool children through the perception of mothers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Qualitative survey, conducted with phenomenological methodology according to Cohen, focused on the interview of ten women with at least one preschool child (4-6 years old) who stated they were helped by the childrens’ grandmothers. The convenience sampling was carried out at the Association of Social Promotion “Neomamme” in the city of Monopoli (BA), from September 2017 to October 2017. RESULTS: The following topics emerged from the phenomenological analysis: 1) Time with grandparents, in which the sub-theme relating to the eating discipline adopted or not by the caregivers emerged 2) Food and the sense of guilt 3) The perception of the child’s appearance, within which the sub-theme relating to strategies to prevent the child becoming overweight emerged. DISCUSSION: The phenomenological analysis highlighted the importance of the support of grandparents (in particular of the maternal grandmother) in food education. The paternal grandparents are indulgent (often in relation to the limited time they spend with their grandchildren) and tend to use food as a vehicle for positive emotions. The analysis also highlighted the inclination of most mothers to use play or reading rather than food as a tool to compensate for their distance during the day. The analysis also found that mothers have a perception of the normality of their children’s body and that this is the result of combining attention to diet and sports.

Grandparent support and mental and behavioural health in middle childhood

AbstractThis study explored the significance of grandparents in middle childhood and assessed the level of grandparental support provided to children in relation to other social network members. The association between grandparental support and grandchildren's mental and behavioural health was also examined. We conducted structured interviews with 120 grade 4 and 5 learners (mean age = 10.41 years) from four schools in Cape Town, South Africa. Results indicated that subsequent to parents, children perceived grandparents as the most important and close relationship category. Furthermore, grandparents provided the highest levels of support to grandchildren after parents. Grandmothers provided more support than grandfathers. No associations between grandparental support and children's internalizing and externalizing behaviours were found. However, results revealed that grandparental support was positively associated with children's prosocial behaviour, independent of child gender, and the amount of support provided by other relationship categories (p = .04). Findings underscore a need for research to move beyond the nuclear family when considering potential influences on children's well‐being.

Changes in Health Perceptions among Older Grandparents Raising Adolescent Grandchildren

ABSTRACTThis research study explores health perceptions before and after becoming a primary caregiver among older grandparents raising adolescent grandchildren. Qualitative, in-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with grandparents age 40 and older (N = 15) who were raising adolescent grandchildren age 12 and older. Most grandparents were female, had some college education, White/Non-Hispanic, were married, had an average age of 65 years, and reported never attending a grandparent support group. Before assuming the primary caregiver role, older grandparents described their physical health as good, filled with physical activity, and reasonably free of health conditions. After entering the primary caregiving role, older grandparents of adolescents described functional restrictions and visible changes in physical health requiring intensive medical interventions. In terms of mental health, older grandparent caregivers experienced anxiety, worry, depression, sadness, and frustration. These findings highlight the complex caregiving circumstances encountered by older grandparents raising adolescents and the need for health education and policy development to increase comprehensive supportive services targeting this population.

Intergenerational Support and Reproduction of Gender Inequalities: A Case Study from Eastern and Western Germany

Social support is often described as an exclusively positively acting factor. Its absence is said to mean negative consequences for individuals. This article shows that the supply and dependence of inter-generational social support can have negative consequences and pertains to persisting unequal gender roles and a gendered division of labor in relationships. Based on qualitative interviews, conducted in eastern and western Germany, with young adults (28-30 years old) and their parents, we hypothesize, that the bigger supply of inter-generational support of grandparents for their children and grandchildren and an alleged dependence on these transfers is especially responsible for impeding the modernization of traditional role models assigning women to the role as a mother and housewife. However, less availability and dependence on this kind of social support in eastern Germany, contribute to a more flexible form of role allocation in a relationship.

Needs-gap analysis on culturally and linguistically diverse grandparent carers' 'hidden issues': a quality improvement project.

In Australia, a significant number of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) grandparents are sole carers for their grandchildren. Available information on the impact of caring on CALD grandparents and the ability of service providers to respond to their needs is limited. Our needs-gap analysis quality improvement project aimed to uncover 'hidden issues' for CALD grandparent carers so that services can be improved. One hundred service providers, such as community and aged-care services, child and/or grandparent support services and CALD-specific services, were approached using six structured questions. Six consultative forums on the caring role, issues encountered, and what needed to be done, were conducted with African, Asian, Spanish, Middle Eastern, European, Pacific Island and Maori grandparent carers in Queensland. The data were qualitatively analysed. Six themes emerged: 1) service provider and grandparent carer perception that there was limited research on CALD grandparents; 2) inadequate legal and financial support; 3) barriers to accessing information; 4) lack of childcare options; 5) transport difficulties; and 6) inadequate technological skills. Our findings provide insight to health service providers on the 'hidden issues' so that they can better assist CALD grandparent carers by improving access to relevant information, referrals and resources.

The Effects of Gender and Bonds with Parents and Grandparents on Delinquency Among Chinese Adolescents

This study examines the influences of bonds with parents and grandparents on delinquent participation among Chinese adolescents, and whether these effects may differ for adolescent boys and girls. Using data provided by over 2,300 middle school students from Fuzhou City, China, regression analyses yield results consistent with the hypotheses. Chinese teens who indicate that they are close to their parents and paternal grandparents report lower levels of delinquency; such effects are independent of each other and other putative common correlates. While the effects of bonds are consistent across domains of delinquency, the strongest appears on deceitful behavior, followed by aggression and substance use. Bonds with parents and paternal grandparents exert significant effects on the delinquency of boys; among girls, however, the effects are weaker or not statistically significant. These results are interpreted in light of social bond theory, parent and grandparent support in mainland China, and policy implications.

School Bonding, Peer Associations, and Self-Views

This study assesses the effects of attachment to paternal grandparents on Chinese adolescent adjustment in the domains of school bonding, peer associations, and self-views, and whether such effects may differ for adolescent boys and girls. Drawing on survey responses of 2,117 middle school students from Fuzhou City, China, regression analyses yield results quite consistent with the hypotheses. Chinese adolescents who indicate that they are close to their paternal grandparents tend to report higher levels of bonding to school, association with achievement-oriented peers, and more positive self-evaluation, and these effects are independent of adolescent closeness with their parents and other putative common correlates. Furthermore, attachment to paternal grandparents exerts stronger effects on adolescent boys than girls, especially in the domains of school bonding and peer associations. These results are discussed in light of attachment theory, grandparent support in Chinese setting, and policy implications.

Children on the Autism Spectrum: Grandmother Involvement and Family Functioning

This study investigated associations between the presence of a child with autism or Asperger's disorder in the family, family functioning and grandmother experiences with the goal of better understanding grandparent involvement in the lives of grandchildren on the autism spectrum and their families. Mothers and grandmothers of children who were either typically developing or on the autism spectrum completed parallel forms of a grandparent involvement measure. Mothers reported on the functioning of the immediate family. Data were analysed via multilevel modelling with mother-grandmother dyads as the unit of observation. Autism spectrum disorders in children were associated with more flexible family functioning, lower levels of family satisfaction, greater grandmother difficulties and more grandmother information needs. Participation of grandparents in diagnostic and treatment meetings and increased communication among family members may facilitate grandparent support and involvement in families with a child on the autism spectrum.

The grandparent–grandchild relationship in childhood and adulthood: A matter of continuation?

This study examined whether grandparents perceive adult grandchildren as frequent and important contacts by analyzing network membership. It additionally examined whether this network membership is related to relationship intensity during childhood. Network membership was assessed in 1992 (397 grandparents, 1,594 adult grandchildren) and at the 2005–2006 follow‐up (155 grandparents, 429 adult grandchildren) from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Relationship intensity during childhood was assessed in 1992. One out of 4 grandparents identified at least 1 adult grandchild in their personal network. Adult grandchildren who had an intense relationship with their grandparents during childhood were more often in grandparents' network than others. An intense relationship during childhood promotes continuation of the relationship into adulthood and might contribute to grandparent's support potential.

The role of grandparents in preventing aggressive and other externalizing behavior problems in children from rural, methamphetamine-involved families

Preventive interventions are urgently needed for children from rural, methamphetamine-involved families, who are at risk for the development of aggressive and other externalizing behavioral problems. This mixed method study explored naturally occurring sources of protection and considers the implications for targeted interventions. Participants were 41 children aged six to 14 years from rural families involved with methamphetamine and the public child welfare system, their primary caregivers, and 19 parents recovering from methamphetamine addiction. When invited during semi-structured interviews to talk about their families, 48% of children spontaneously described socially and emotionally supportive relationships with healthy grandparents. Children's reports of support from grandparents were associated with lower scores on CBCL Social Problems, [t(37) = 2.23, p<.05]; externalizing behaviors, [t(37) = 2.07, p<.05]; and aggressive behaviors, [t(37) = 2.75, p<.01]. When asked to talk about their families, 58% of parents spontaneously described the support their children received from grandparents, and 26% also described the support that they had received from their own grandparents. Children's and parents' descriptions of grandparent support suggest how grandparents may protect children from the development of aggressive and other externalizing behavior problems. First, grandparents may prevent obstacles to healthy development by providing their grandchildren with safe shelter and basic child care when parents are incapacitated from substance misuse. Second, they may promote their grandchildren's positive social-emotional development through supportive relationships. Third, they may promote social competence through enjoyable leisure activities with healthy adults and non-delinquent peers. Understanding naturally occurring sources of protection for children can inform the development of interventions by identifying strengths on which to build, and suggesting culturally sensitive approaches when children are struggling.

Intergenerational Support and the Role of Grandparents in Post-Divorce Families: Retrospective Accounts of Young Adult Grandchildren

The purpose of the current study was to examine grandparent support to grandchildren following the divorce of parents. Participants (N = 42) responded to questions focusing on the enactment of support and relationships with grandparents. Through these retrospective, self-report accounts, six categories of grandparent support were identified. Additionally, four barriers to grandparent support emerged from the responses of the grandchildren. These categories of and barriers to intergenerational social support are discussed as they relate to characteristics and expectations of provided support in post-divorce families.

Preliminary Reliability and Validity of the Grandparent Version of the Grandparent Support Scale for Teenage Mothers (GSSTM-G)

This study demonstrates the preliminary reliability and validity of the grandparent version of the Grandparent Support Scale for Teenage Mothers (GSSTM-G), a measure designed to assess grandparents' perceptions of triadic relationships that support or imperil the teen mother's care of her baby. Grandparents (N = 61) who participated in this study were parents and parent surrogates of teen mothers who completed a teen version of the scale (GSSTM-T). Principal axis factoring with oblique rotation resulted in a reduction of the GSSTM-G scale from 19 to 14 items. A two-factor solution was supported by item factor loadings and conceptual clarity. The GSSTM-G factors revealed two different patterns of family relationships, Responsive Family Relationships (alpha = .82) and Adversarial Family Relationships (alpha = .81), that correlated with other measures. Construct validity and internal consistency support further exploration of the GSSTM-G as a measure of family relationships, as related to the care of the infant, from grandparents' perspectives.

Grandparent Involvement and Support in Families of Children with Severe Disabilities : Parents' Perceptions

Grandparent Involvement and Support in Families of Children with Severe Disabilities : Parents' Perceptions

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: A Response to a Nutrition and Physical Activity Intervention

This pilot study explored the impact of an educational program on nutrition and physical activity knowledge of urban African-American grandparents raising their grandchildren. The program was integrated into a community-based intervention, Project Healthy Grandparents, and was implemented during the first 15 minutes of 10 grandparent support groups and parenting classes. Subjects included 22 grandparents who attended at least six sessions and completed pre- and posttests of nutrition and physical activity knowledge. Participants’ posttest scores were significantly higher than their pretest scores ( P<0.05), indicating an increase in knowledge. Eighteen grandparents provided insights about diet and physical activity and barriers to lifestyle changes during an audiotaped focus group. Based on analysis of the focus group’s discussion, three major influences on healthful eating and physical activity emerged, including financial considerations, presence of grandchildren in the home, and preference for traditional cultural foods. Themes from the focus group were consistent with responses on the nutrition and physical activity knowledge test. Satisfaction with the program was very high and no specific recommendations for improvements were made. Results can guide future nutrition interventions for this target group and potentially contribute to grandparents’ improved health and ability to care for their grandchildren.

Adolescent Mothers’ Perceptions of Fathers’ Parental Involvement: Satisfaction and Desire for Involvement*

Abstract: Grounded in family systems and ecological theories, this study examined teenage mothers’ perceptions of fathers’ parental involvement and the role of teenage mothers’ gatekeeping beliefs. Fathers’ involvement was perceived to be greater when teenage parents were romantically involved (n = 55). When they no longer shared a romantic relationship (n = 59), mothers’ satisfaction with and desire for fathers’ involvement (i.e., gatekeeping beliefs) mediated the association between mothers’ perceptions of developmental and contextual factors and their perceptions of fathers’ involvement. Overall, the proposed developmental‐contextual model was not significant for romantically involved teenage parents. Findings underscore the need to account for and incorporate issues related to relationship status, grandparent support, historical support, and maternal gatekeeping beliefs when developing programs for adolescent parents.

Grandparent Support for Mothers of Children with and without Physical Disabilities

Grandparents’ support to families of children with disabilities is generally associated with improved parental well-being. Little research addresses the question of quantitative differences in grandparent support to families of children with and without disabilities. This article examines such differences. Data was collected on 50 mothers of children with spina bifida and 43 mothers of children without disabilities and results showed how mothers rated perceived maternal and paternal grandparent support. No differences were found between mothers of children with and without disabilities. These results confirm previous findings that grandparent support appears to be no more frequent in families of children with disabilities than in other families. These findings are discussed with reference to sampling limitations and implications for further research.

A family affair? Kinship care and parental substance misuse: some dilemmas explored

ABSTRACTBoth the Children Act 1989 and the Human Rights Act 1998 support the principle that children should remain within their birth families wherever possible and that this option must be considered when children are unable to live with their parents. Where parental substance misuse is an issue, family placements, whether formally or informally arranged, are increasingly being used and the support of grandparents, in particular, has been identified as a significant protective factor for children. This paper examines some of the issues that can arise with such placements, particularly in view of the part that substance misuse may play within the wider family system, the impact of parental drug and alcohol use on attachment and child development, and the complex dynamics that can ensue. Drawing on themes emerging from parental substance misuse literature and kinship care research, some practice dilemmas will be explored. While acknowledging the complex aetiology of substance misuse and the dangers of pathologizing family systems in which it is found, some hypotheses about potential risks and challenges will be debated. It will be argued that, although such placements can often provide children with a safe haven, they may demand a specific type of support and monitoring, if children’s welfare is to be safeguarded.

Research Review: The role of grandparents in intergenerational support for families with disabled children: a review of the literature

ABSTRACTThe family in late modernity faces demographic change. However, it is still apparent that intergenerational relationships and exchanges of resources are valued. There is a growing literature on the important role that grandparents play in their children’s families. In contrast, there is limited research exploring the support grandparents provide to families with disabled children. This is an important gap in our knowledge, as families with disabled children frequently face additional caring responsibilities and emotional demands. From the studies that do exist, it is clear that grandparents’ support to families with disabled children is generally valued. However, the literature remains partial: past studies are small‐scale, focused upon parents’ perceptions of support (especially mother’s), and frequently based upon North American data. Recognizing these limitations and the fact that grandparents themselves have support needs which require consideration, this paper identifies key areas where important issues remain unanswered and further research is required. It argues that research is needed to begin untangling the different support needs of parents, grandparents and other family members, and the different effects of grandparent support that different family members’ experience. Exploration of grandparents’ own support needs also indicates the need for wider policy and service consideration.

A Preliminary Investigation of the Grandparent Support Scale for Teenage Mothers

Although numerous instruments are available to assess the teen mother's social support, an instrument that is more narrowly focused on the support teen mothers receive from their parents (the grandparents) is lacking. To remedy this gap, the Grandparent Support Scale for Teenage Mothers (GSSTM) was developed. The purpose of this article is to review what is known about grandparent support and describe the initial psychometric testing of the teen version of the GSSTM. Four questionnaires were completed by 72 teen mothers. Factor analysis of the GSSTM resulted in reduction of the questionnaire from 22 to 16 items and yielded three factors: Grandparent Responsiveness (alpha = .90), Grandparent as Decision Maker (alpha = .76), and Grandparent as Actor (alpha = .72). GSSTM subscales significantly correlated with the other measures, supporting their validity. Although further psychometric testing is needed with a larger sample, the GSSTM shows promise in assessing teen mothers' perceptions of family support.

Grandparents as family stabilizers during economic hardship in Bulgaria

The present study of three generations' families living together during a period of marked economic dislocation investigates whether supportive grandparents can ameliorate the negative effects of economic stress on parenting and on teen outcomes. The study focuses on harsh parenting and adolescent depression, which has been shown to be especially responsive to economic stress. Three hypotheses were investigated: (1) in extended families there is a link between economic adversity and adolescent depression that is mediated by harsh parenting; (2) grandparent support diminishes the relationship between economic pressure and harsh parenting; and (3) grandparent support diminishes the relationship between harsh parenting and adolescent depression. Data were collected from a community sample of 62 extended families with an adolescent during a period of marked economic dislocation in Bulgaria. Mothers, fathers, and adolescents completed questionnaires about perceived economic pressure, parents' harsh parenting, and perceived support of grandparents. Adolescents also completed a measure of self‐reported depression. Additional interviews were conducted with every eligible family member about family relations. Results showed that even though there was significant economic stress reported by parents, adolescents reported moderate levels of depression and low levels of harsh parenting by mothers and fathers. Correlation and regression analyses revealed that whenever respondents experienced support by grandparents, it made a difference for family members. More specifically, despite economic stress, mothers who experienced the support of grandparents tended to exercise less harsh parenting practices than mothers who lacked such support. Furthermore, when grandparents were supportive, harsh parenting was not associated with adolescent depression. These findings are discussed in the light of existing studies of families under economic pressure with a special focus on extended family relations and the role of cultural context.